JP3978713B2 - RECORDING MEDIUM CONVEYING DEVICE AND RECORDING DEVICE USING THE CONVEYING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording medium conveying apparatus and a recording apparatus including the conveying apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for sucking and holding a recording medium in a recording unit of the recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an inkjet printer including a recording medium conveyance device, for example, when an image on which a large number of ink particles are ejected is recorded on a recording medium, such as a solid image, the recording medium absorbs a large amount of ink. In some cases, a so-called cock ring swells in a wave shape. When this cockling occurs, the recording medium floats up, the interval between the recording medium and the recording head (paper gap) becomes narrow, and the flying distance of the ink particles varies, resulting in uneven recording, or the recording medium contacts the recording head. Then there was a problem that would get dirty.
[0003]
In recent years, it has been proposed to form an uneven guide portion having suction holes mainly on the conveyance surface of a recording medium and suck the recording medium with a suction pump or the like through a plurality of suction (through) holes provided in the convex portions. (See JP-A-11-208045). This proposes to prevent the recording medium from being lifted by sucking or adsorbing the recording medium to a platen or the like through the upper surface of the ridge and the suction hole of the concave as a means for solving the above-described lifting due to the cock ring. Is.
[0004]
However, in the structure in which the suction holes are formed in the uneven portions on the transport surface, only a part of the cock ring generated throughout the recording medium is sucked in the recording portion, and the suction force is weak. Therefore, it is difficult to prevent the recording medium from floating.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to suppress the floating of a recording medium due to cockling in a recording apparatus and to set an appropriate paper gap, thereby enabling high-quality recording on the recording medium.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the claims of the present invention, a suction unit that sucks and holds a recording medium on a recording medium transport surface, and an upstream side of the suction unit on the recording medium transport surface A recording medium conveying device comprising a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium from a downstream side to a downstream side, wherein a plurality of dents recessed from the periphery are formed on the recording medium conveying surface in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction. In addition, a suction hole in the recess is formed in the recess, and the recess has at least one raised portion lower than the recording medium conveyance surface in the sub-scanning direction, and at least the main scanning on the recording medium conveyance surface. A suction hole outside the recess is formed between the recesses in the direction and the sub-scanning direction.
[0007]
In order to achieve the above object, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the claims of the present invention, a suction unit that sucks and holds a recording medium on a recording medium transport surface, and an upstream side of the suction unit on the recording medium transport surface A recording medium conveying device comprising a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium from a downstream side to a downstream side, wherein a plurality of dents recessed from the periphery on the recording medium conveying surface are formed in the main scanning direction, and A suction hole in the recess is formed in the recess, and the recess has at least one raised portion lower than the recording medium conveyance surface in the sub-scanning direction, and is at least the depression in the main scanning direction on the recording medium conveyance surface. It is characterized in that an outside suction hole is formed in between.
[0008]
The recording medium is sucked and held by the suction force of the suction unit from the recording medium conveyance surface which is the surface opposite to the recording surface. The recording medium is adsorbed by a suction hole outside the recess on the recording medium conveyance surface, and the lower bottom portion of the cock ring generated in the recording medium falls into the recess on the recording medium conveyance surface, and is closed by the suction hole at the bottom of the recess. Furthermore, it is sucked and adsorbed by the negative pressure. That is, the dent is partitioned in the sub-scanning direction to form a closed space, and the recording medium is brought into close contact with the recording medium conveyance surface by increasing the sealing ratio between the recording medium and the dent.
[0009]
Thus, according to the recording medium device of the present invention, the cockling generated in the recording medium can be corrected to the shape along the shape of the suction unit, and the recording medium of the recording medium by cockling generated in the recording medium can be corrected. Since the floating can be prevented more effectively, an appropriate paper gap can be set, and the effect of making high-quality recording on the recording medium can be obtained. In addition, when the recording medium sucked and adsorbed in the recess is transported and passes over the raised portion, the recording medium is not prevented from being transported, the recording medium is prevented from being lifted, and a large suction is performed. Has the effect of gaining power.
[0010]
Further, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the claims of the present invention, the recess has an inclined surface that descends from the recording medium transport surface toward the bottom of the recess. As a result, a shape along the curve of the cockling generated in the recording medium upon ink absorption is obtained, and the sealing ratio between the dent and the recording medium is increased, so that the suction effect is enhanced, and the recording medium by cockling more effectively. Can be prevented from lifting.
[0011]
Further, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the claims of the present invention, the recess of the recording medium transport surface is formed by a concave curved surface. In order to achieve the above object, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the claims of the present invention, a suction unit that sucks and holds the recording medium on the recording medium transport surface, and the suction unit on the recording medium transport surface. A recording medium conveying apparatus comprising a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium from the upstream side toward the downstream side, wherein a plurality of dents recessed from the periphery are formed in the main scanning direction on the recording medium conveying surface. A suction hole in the recess is formed in the recess, and the recess on the recording medium transport surface is formed by a concave curved surface having a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cock ring generated in the recording medium, and the recess is in the sub-scanning direction. In addition, at least one raised portion lower than the recording medium conveyance surface is formed, and a suction hole outside the depression is formed at least between the depressions in the main scanning direction on the recording medium conveyance surface. It is characterized. Thereby, since the sealing rate between the dent and the recording medium is increased by setting the shape along the shape of the cock ring generated in the recording medium, the suction effect is enhanced.
[0012]
Further, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the present invention, the inclined surface has a suction hole, and has an effect of increasing the suction effect on the inclined surface with which the recording medium is in contact. The floating of the recording medium can be prevented.
[0013]
Further, in the recording apparatus transport apparatus according to the present invention, the suction hole on the recording medium transport surface is chamfered at least on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the edge of the hole, There is an effect that does not hinder the conveyance of the recording medium.
[0014]
A recording apparatus according to a claim of the present invention is characterized by including each of the recording medium conveying apparatuses. Thereby, according to this recording apparatus, the effect by each invention mentioned above can be acquired.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
First, FIG. 1 is a figure which shows the main structures of the suction unit which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the top view, (b) is the sectional drawing. As shown in FIG. 1B, the suction unit 100 of the present embodiment is formed in a hollow box shape having an upper and lower two-stage configuration including an upper suction part 101 and a lower suction force generation part 104. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the suction unit 101 includes a decompression chamber 102 formed therein and a plurality of suction chambers 106 formed as substantially rectangular recesses in the conveyance surface 107 of the recording medium. In addition, a plurality of suction holes 32 are provided so that the suction chambers 106 communicate with the decompression chambers 102, respectively. A suction hole 31 that communicates the conveyance surface of the recording medium corresponding to the suction hole in the conventional suction structure and the decompression chamber 102 is between the recesses in the main scanning direction (D direction in the figure), that is, adjacent suction. Arranged between the chambers 106. The suction force generation unit 104 communicates with the decompression chamber 102 of the suction unit 101 through the communication hole 111 and includes a pump 112 having a centrifugal fan therein. Further, the suction chamber 106, the suction hole 32, and the suction hole 31 can be similarly formed in the sub-scanning direction (E direction in the drawing) on the transport surface 107.
[0017]
As a result, first, in addition to the suction hole 31 corresponding to the suction hole in the conventional suction structure, the suction hole 32 was formed in the suction chamber 106 as a basic structure, and the suction hole 32 was formed by a small-diameter through hole. The suction chamber 106 and the suction hole 32 suck and suck the lower part of the cock ring, and the suction hole 31 sucks and sucks the upper part of the cock ring against the cock ring generated on the recording medium during recording. It was possible to do so, and a greater suction force could be demonstrated. That is, the suction chamber 106 sucks the recording medium, so that the recording medium comes into close contact with the surrounding transport surface 107, thereby forming a closed space, and a large suction force is exerted on the recording medium due to the negative pressure in the closed space. appear.
[0018]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
Since the basic structure of the suction unit 100 according to the other embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
[0020]
Hereinafter, the operational effects of the suction unit 100 according to the other embodiment will be described in comparison with the above-described first embodiment and the conventional example.
[0021]
2 is a diagram showing the operation and effect of the suction unit 100 of the conventional example as a comparative example, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation and effect of the suction unit 100 according to the first embodiment as a comparative example, and FIGS. It is a figure which shows the effect of the suction unit 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.
[0022]
First, the function and effect of the conventional suction unit will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction force is represented by ΔP · A1 (ΔP = P0−P). Here, ΔP represents the generated negative pressure, A1 represents the area of the suction chamber, P0 represents the external pressure (here atmospheric pressure), and P represents the static pressure of the suction hole. ΔP is the same as in the suction units of the first and other embodiments, but the suction force is small because the area (cross-sectional area) A1 of the surface of the suction hole 31 facing the recording medium is the smallest.
[0023]
When the recording medium 10 absorbs a large amount of ink such as a solid image, the recording medium 10 is sucked and adsorbed on the upper part of the suction hole 31 as shown in FIG. Since the suction force pressed downward with respect to the medium 10 is weak, it floats up so that the recording medium cannot be effectively lifted by cockling.
[0024]
Next, the function and effect of the suction unit of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a suction chamber 106 is formed between the suction holes 31 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction (E direction in the figure), and the suction hole 32 is formed in the suction chamber 106. It is. Further, a plurality of these suction chambers 106, suction holes 32, and suction holes 31 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction (D direction in the figure) in substantially the same manner. The suction force of the suction chamber 106 is expressed by ΔP · A2 (ΔP = P0−P). Here, A2 is the area of the suction chamber 106 part. ΔP = P0−P is the same as that of the suction unit 100 of the conventional and other embodiments, but the suction chamber 106 has a surface area (cross-sectional area) A2 facing the recording medium 10 larger than that of the conventional example. The suction power increases.
[0025]
When the recording medium 10 is sent onto the conveyance surface 107, first, the recording medium 10 is sucked through the suction holes 31 on the conveyance surface 107. Subsequently, when a large amount of ink such as a solid image is absorbed, since the recording medium 10 is sucked and sucked by the suction holes 31, the generated cockling falls into the suction chamber 106. Since the recording medium 10 falls downward and becomes a closed space, the suction chamber 106 is further strongly adsorbed by the negative pressure. As a result, the upper part of the cock ring does not float, and the shape of the cock ring becomes the shape of the suction unit. There is an effect to be corrected to the shape along. As a result, by reducing the shape of the suction unit, the cockling wave itself can be significantly reduced. It has been confirmed that the suction hole 31 and the suction hole 32 are effective even if they are substantially circular or polygonal. A plurality of suction holes 32 in the suction chamber 106 may be formed.
[0026]
Then, the effect of the suction unit 100 of 2nd to 6th embodiment shown to FIG. 4 thru | or 8 is demonstrated.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 4, as in the first embodiment, a substantially rectangular recess is formed that is recessed from the surroundings, but the side surface of the suction chamber 106 is inclined downward toward the bottom of the recess as shown in the figure. It is formed with. When the recording medium 10 absorbs a large amount of ink such as a solid image, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium 10 is a space portion on the transport surface 107 as in the first embodiment. Thus, the generated cockling is strongly adsorbed by the negative pressure in the suction chamber 106 where the recording medium 10 falls downward and becomes a closed space, although the suction force is weaker than the suction chamber 106. The shape of the cock ring has an effect of being corrected to a shape along the shape of the suction unit 100. Here, by making the side surface of the suction chamber 106 the inclined surface, the sealing ratio between the recording medium 10 and the suction unit 100 increases along the shape of the cock ring, and the suction effect is further increased.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 5, the partition wall 109 between the suction chambers 106 formed continuously in the sub-scanning direction E is formed lower than the transport surface 107 with respect to the transport surface 107 formed flat. Accordingly, when the recording medium 10 that is in close contact with the conveyance surface 107 or the suction chamber 106 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction E, the conveyance is not hindered and the floating from the conveyance surface 107 is prevented. The effect that the sealing rate with 100 is also increased can be obtained.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 6, as in the first embodiment, the side surface of the suction chamber 106, which is the recess, is formed as a slope, and the suction hole 33 is formed in the slope. When the recording medium 10 absorbs a large amount of ink such as a solid image, as shown in FIG. 6, the recording medium 10 is sucked and sucked at the upper part of the suction chamber 106 as in the first embodiment. The cock ring easily falls into the suction chamber 106. The suction holes 33 formed on the slope serve to suck the cock ring as an auxiliary and guide the lower bottom of the cock ring to the suction hole 32 on the bottom surface of the suction chamber 106. Therefore, the upper part of the cock ring does not rise, and the shape of the cock ring is corrected to the shape along the shape of the suction unit 100.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 7, as in the first embodiment, a suction chamber 106 that is a recess is formed on the transfer surface 107, but the recess is continuously formed by a concave curved surface. The dent has a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cock ring generated in the recording medium 10 and is formed in a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cock ring, so that the suction of the recording medium 10 is shown in FIG. The adhesion rate to the unit 100 is increased, and there is an effect that the cock ring does not rise.
[0031]
8A and 8B are diagrams showing the shape of the suction hole 31 on the transport surface 107. FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, the recording medium is chamfered on the suction hole 31 of the conveyance surface 107 by chamfering the downstream surface in the sub-scanning direction E, which is the conveyance direction of the recording medium, of the edge of the suction hole 31 outside the recess. The effect of being transported without passing the leading edge of the recording medium when passing is obtained. In addition, the same action and effect can be obtained by similarly chamfering the suction hole 32 in the suction chamber 106.
[0032]
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 10 is a side view thereof.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 9, this ink jet printer basically records a recording sheet 10 ′ accommodated in a sheet tray 212 of an automatic sheet feeding (ASF) unit 202 attached obliquely to the printer body 200. At this time, the recording medium conveying device 50 that conveys in the conveying direction D feeds the recording head 14 and the recording unit 14 including the suction unit 100 located below the recording head 18 and feeds the recording sheet 10 ′ after recording to the printer body. It has the structure discharged | emitted out of 200. However, a manual paper feed port 204 (see FIG. 10) not shown in FIG. 9 is formed on the back side of the printer main body 200, and the recording paper 10 ′ that is fed from the manual paper feed port 204 and fed is also provided. Similarly, during recording, the recording medium conveyance device 50 feeds the recording sheet 14 to the recording unit 14 and discharges the recording sheet 10 ′ after recording out of the printer main body 200. As the recording paper 10 ′, various kinds of paper such as an OHP film, tracing paper, postcard, etc. can be used in addition to the dedicated paper for the inkjet printer and the plain paper.
[0034]
The recording medium transport device 50 includes a suction unit 100 that sucks and holds the recording paper 10 ′ during recording, and a recording medium transport unit that transports the recording paper 10 ′ from the upstream side to the downstream side of the suction unit 100.
[0035]
The recording medium transport unit picks up and feeds the recording paper 10 ′ stored in the paper tray 212 one by one, and feeds the recording paper 10 ′ between the recording head 18 and the suction unit 100. A roller 12 and its driven roller 12a, a paper discharge roller 16 for discharging the recording paper 10 'after recording to the outside of the recording unit 14, and a spur roller 16a as its driven roller are provided. In FIG. 10, an arrow line L indicates a conveyance path of the recording paper 10 ′ conveyed by the recording medium conveyance device 50.
[0036]
The recording head 18 is slidable on a guide shaft 51 disposed in parallel along a direction D (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction E (paper feeding direction or sub-scanning direction) of the recording paper 10 ′. The carriage 230 is mounted on the supported carriage 230 and slides on the guide shaft 51 by a timing belt driven by the carriage drive motor 40. The recording head 18 has a nozzle row composed of, for example, 96 nozzles for each color, and prints ink supplied for each color from an ink cartridge 233 detachably mounted on the carriage 230. Depending on the data, all or some of the plurality of nozzles are ejected onto the recording paper 10 'as extremely small ink particles.
[0037]
The suction unit 100 is disposed at a position facing the recording head 18 across the conveyance path L of the recording paper 10 ′, and is a hollow with a two-stage configuration including an upper suction part 101 and a lower suction force generation part 104. It is formed in a box shape. As shown in FIG. 10, the suction unit 101 includes a decompression chamber 102 formed therein and a plurality of suction chambers 106 (cross-sectional area S3) formed as substantially rectangular recesses on the conveyance surface 107 of the recording paper 10 ′. The suction chambers 106 have a plurality of suction holes 32 (cross-sectional area S <b> 1) facing in the vertical direction so as to communicate with the decompression chambers 102. In the present embodiment, the suction chamber 106 is formed such that the area S3 of the suction surface facing the recording sheet 10 ′ is larger than the cross-sectional area S1 of the suction hole 32. The suction force generation unit 104 communicates with the decompression chamber 102 of the suction unit 101 through the communication hole 111 and includes a pump 112 having a centrifugal fan therein. The pump 112 is attached to a predetermined position below the decompression chamber 102 so as to communicate with the decompression chamber 102 through the communication hole 111, and the centrifugal fan operates during recording. In the present embodiment, the pump 112 of the suction unit 100 is always in a rotating state, and the suction force by the pump 112 passes through the communication hole 111 and the decompression chamber 102 to the suction hole 32, the suction chamber 106, and the suction hole 31. Acts and enters an intake suction state.
[0038]
When a recording command for the recording paper 10 ′ stored in the paper tray 212 is input by a host computer or the like (not shown), the paper feed roller 221 of the ASF unit 202 is driven to rotate and is stored in the paper tray 212. The recording paper 10 ′ is picked up and sent out one by one, and the paper feed roller 12 and the like are further rotated by a rotational driving force such as a stepping motor, so that the recording paper 10 ′ is placed between the recording head 18 and the suction unit 100. Carry to feed into.
[0039]
Subsequently, the recording sheet 10 ′ fed into the recording unit 14 is sucked and adsorbed on the recording medium transport surface 107 of the suction unit 100 and is transported while maintaining a close contact state. At the same time, the recording head 18 ejects ink particles onto the recording paper 10 'while moving in the main scanning direction (D direction in the figure) above the recording paper 10', and image recording is performed. After the image recording is completed, the recording sheet 10 ′ is sent out from the recording unit 14 by the discharge roller 16 and a spur roller 16 a as a driven roller thereof, or sent out from the recording unit 14 by the movement of the suction unit 100. Then, it is discharged out of the printer body. At this time, as described above, since the recording paper 10 'does not float due to cockling, even if the spur roller 16a is used, no spur mark is attached.
[0040]
As another embodiment, the suction unit 100 can be moved in the discharge direction, and the discharge can be performed without providing the discharge roller 16 and the spur roller 16a in FIGS. It is. 11 and 12 show another embodiment of an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing another embodiment of the recording medium conveying apparatus, and FIG. 12 is a side view thereof. Further, the same parts as those in the first embodiment of the ink jet printer as the recording apparatus are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
[0041]
The printer main body 200, which is a recording medium conveyance device, includes a movable suction discharge unit 1 as means for discharging a recorded recording sheet 10 '. The suction discharge unit 1 includes a fixed table 21, a movable table 22, a pump 112 having a centrifugal fan inside as a decompression unit, and a discharge nozzle 20. 'Is moved and discharged in the sub-scanning direction E.
[0042]
The fixed table 21 has a first decompression chamber 121 having a hollow structure, and is disposed in a state of being fixed to the main body of the recording medium conveyance device 50, and a pump 112 is disposed at the bottom thereof. The pump 112 and the first decompression chamber 121 communicate with each other through the first communication hole 108. As the pump 112 rotates, the air in the first decompression chamber 121 is sucked in the direction indicated by the arrow H, and the interior of the first decompression chamber 121 is decompressed. A second communication hole 109 communicating with the first decompression chamber 121 is formed on the upper surface of the fixed table 21.
[0043]
The movable table 22 has a second decompression chamber 122 having a hollow structure, and is arranged in a state slidable on the fixed table 21 in the sub-scanning direction E. A third communication hole 110 communicating with the second decompression chamber 122 is formed on the bottom surface of the movable table 22. Furthermore, in addition to the suction hole 31 communicating with the second decompression chamber 122, the suction hole 32 is formed in the suction chamber 106 on the upper surface of the movable table 22, and the suction hole 32 is formed by a small-diameter through hole. . Then, with the second communication hole 109 and the third communication hole 110 communicating with each other as indicated by the arrow I, the suction hole 31 and the suction hole 32 on the movable table are indicated by the arrow J. The recording sheet 10 ′ is sucked and the recording sheet 10 ′ is sucked and held on the upper surface of the movable table 22.
[0044]
The discharge nozzle 20 is configured to discharge the air sucked by the pump 112 through a flow path (not shown), and the recording sheet 10 ′ after recording on the movable table 22 is discharged by the air flow discharged from the discharge nozzle 20. The paper is discharged toward a paper discharge tray or the like (not shown).
[0045]
Between the paper feed roller 221 and the paper feed roller 12, a paper detection device 63 according to a known technique in the prior art is disposed. The paper detection device 63 has a lever that is pivotally supported in a state that it is given a self-return behavior to a standing posture and protrudes into the conveyance path of the recording paper 10 ′ so that it can be rotated only in the recording paper conveyance direction. The lever is rotated when the tip of the lever is pushed by the recording paper 10 ', thereby detecting the recording paper 10'.
[0046]
The recording paper 10 ′ is transported by a predetermined transport amount in the sub-scanning direction E by the recording paper transporting means. When recording on the recording paper is not finished when the end of the recording paper 10 'passes the recording paper transporting means, the recording paper is continuously transported by a predetermined transport amount in the sub-scanning direction E by the paper discharge device. Is done. Further, since the paper detection device 63 is disposed upstream of the recording execution area in the sub-scanning direction, the end of the recording paper passes through the paper detection device 63 and then passes through the recording paper conveyance means. Therefore, when the paper detection device 63 detects the end of the recording paper and passes through the paper detection device 63, or after passing through the paper detection device 63, the paper discharge operation is started after the predetermined amount of recording paper is conveyed. Thus, when the end of the recording paper passes through the recording paper conveying means, the recording paper can be reliably conveyed continuously by the paper discharge device without the recording paper becoming free.
[0047]
Further, the recording medium transport device 50 is opposed to the recording head 18 and is not provided with a platen that defines the gap between the head surface of the recording head 18 and the recording paper 10 ′, and the movable table 22 serves as a platen. It also has a structure that fulfills its functions.
[0048]
Next, the process from when recording is performed on the recording sheet 10 ′ to when it is discharged will be described.
[0049]
The carriage 233 reciprocates in the main scanning direction D by the timing belt driven by the carriage drive motor 40, and discharges ink to the recording paper 10 ', and sub-scanning by the paper feed roller 12 and its driven roller 12a. The recording paper 10 'is conveyed in the direction E alternately and recording is performed on the recording paper 10'. In this embodiment, the pump 112 continues to suck the recording sheet 10 ′ on the movable table 22 in a state where the pump 112 is always rotated. Therefore, the recording sheet 10 ′ on the movable table 22 always has the suction holes 31 and 32. And sucked and held on the movable table 22. As a result, the recording sheet 10 ′ is conveyed while sliding on the movable table 22 while being sucked by the movable table 22, so that the recording sheet 10 ′ can be prevented from being lifted by cockling or the like. The distance between the recording paper 10 ′ and the head surface of the recording head 18 can always be kept constant.
[0050]
The movable table 22 starts to move in the sub-scanning direction E when the end of the recording paper 10 ′ first passes through the paper detection device 63 and then moves away from the paper feed roller 12 and its driven roller 12 a. This timing can be determined from the detection timing at which the end of the recording sheet 10 ′ passes through the paper detection device 63 and the distance from the paper detection device 63 to the paper feed roller 12 and its driven roller 12a. Then, the recording paper 10 ′ is continuously conveyed intermittently in the sub-scanning direction E by the movable table 22, and the remaining recording on the recording paper 10 ′ is executed.
[0051]
The recording sheet 10 ′ is recorded in the vicinity of its end while being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction E by the movable table 22. At that time, when recording is performed without a margin at the end of the recording paper 10 ′, excess ink is discarded to the ink absorbent 19 provided on the upper surface of the fixed table 11, Recording is performed. As a result, the ink can be discarded over a wide area. Therefore, when recording is performed without a margin to the end of the recording paper 10 ′, ink is ejected from all the nozzle arrays of the recording head 18 to perform recording. it can. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the throughput when recording is performed without margin to the end of the recording paper 10 ′.
[0052]
The movable table 22 further moves in the sub-scanning direction E, and a part of the second communication hole 109 is opened to the outside. As a result, mist-like ink floating in the air in the recording execution area by the recording head 18, that is, so-called ink mist can be sucked, so that the recording caused by the ink mist adhering to the recording surface of the recording paper 10 '. Quality degradation can be prevented.
[0053]
When the recording on the recording paper 10 ′ is completed and the movable table 22 further moves in the sub-scanning direction E, the communication between the second communication hole 109 and the third communication hole 110 is blocked. As a result, the suction from the suction holes 31 and 32 is stopped, and the recording sheet 10 ′ is not sucked and held on the movable table 22, but is simply placed. Subsequently, air sucked from the pump 112 is discharged from the discharge nozzle 20 to the recording paper 10 ′ in the direction indicated by the arrow G, and the recording paper 10 ′ on the movable table 22 is drawn by the air pressure. The paper is conveyed toward a paper discharge tray not shown. Then, the movable table 22 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3 so that the next recording can be executed.
[0054]
In addition, even during recording, air may continue to be discharged from the discharge nozzle 20, whereby a force for pressing the recording sheet 10 ′ from the recording surface side to the movable table 22 can be applied, so that the recording sheet The 10 'lift can be further suppressed. When the suction from the suction hole 31 and the suction hole 32 is stopped and the recording sheet 10 ′ is not sucked and held on the movable table 22, the air flow discharged from the discharge nozzle 20 is used. The recording paper 10 ′ is discharged to a paper discharge tray or the like (not shown).
[0055]
Thus, the ink jet recording apparatus 50 according to the present invention includes the suction paper discharge unit 1 having a configuration capable of discharging the recording paper 10 ′ without contacting the recording surface of the recording paper 10 ′. The possibility that the recording quality of the surface is impaired can be reduced.
[0056]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the suction hole outside the recess is provided, a large suction force can be obtained, and the lifting due to cockling of the recording medium can be effectively prevented.
[0058]
In addition, since the floating of the recording medium can be prevented, the paper gap can be reduced, so that the printing accuracy can be improved, and a remarkably high image quality can be obtained on special paper that is less likely to cause cockling.
[0059]
Furthermore, since the shape of the cock ring is corrected to the shape along the shape of the suction unit, the cock ring wave itself can be remarkably reduced.
[0060]
In addition, since the recording medium can be recessed at least without being lifted, the recording medium is not pressed against the spur roller. As a result, even if the spur roller is used, the recording medium does not have a spur mark.
[0061]
As described above, in the recording apparatus, lifting due to cockling of the recording medium is suppressed, and an appropriate paper gap can be set, thereby enabling high-quality recording on the recording medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B are diagrams showing a main configuration of a suction unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view thereof, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation and effect of a conventional suction unit as a comparative example.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operational effect of the suction unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operational effect of the suction unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operational effect of the suction unit according to the third embodiment.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the effects of the suction unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIGS.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the operational effects of the suction unit according to the fifth embodiment. FIGS.
8A and 8B are diagrams schematically illustrating a suction unit according to a sixth embodiment, in which FIG. 8A is a plan view thereof, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of an inkjet printer as a recording apparatus to which the invention is applied.
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing another embodiment of an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Paper discharge device
10 Recording media
12 Paper feed roller
12a Followed roller
16 Paper discharge roller
16a spur roller
18 Recording head
19 Ink absorber
20 Discharge nozzle
21 Fixed table
22 Movable table
40 Carriage drive motor
50 Recording medium transport device
51 Guide shaft
100 Suction unit
102, 121, 122 decompression chamber
31, 32, 33 Suction hole
106 Suction chamber (dent)
107 Recording medium transport surface
108, 109, 110, 111 communication hole
112 pump
200 Printer body
202 Automatic paper feeding (ASF) unit
204 Manual feed slot
212 Paper tray
221 Paper feed roller
225 Paper guide member
230 Carriage
233 Ink cartridge

Claims (8)

A suction unit for sucking and holding the recording medium on the recording medium conveying surface;
A recording medium conveying device comprising a recording medium conveying means for conveying the recording medium from the upstream side to the downstream side of the suction unit on the recording medium conveying surface;
Forming a plurality of indentations in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction on the recording medium conveying surface in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction;
The recess has at least one raised portion lower than the recording medium conveyance surface in the sub-scanning direction;
A recording medium transporting apparatus, wherein a recess outer suction hole is formed at least between the recesses in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction on the recording medium transporting surface. A recording medium comprising: a suction unit that sucks and holds a recording medium on a recording medium transport surface; and a recording medium transport unit that transports the recording medium from the upstream side to the downstream side of the suction unit on the recording medium transport surface. A conveying device,
Forming a plurality of dents recessed from the periphery on the recording medium conveying surface in the main scanning direction, and forming a dent suction hole in the dent,
The recess has at least one raised portion lower than the recording medium conveyance surface in the sub-scanning direction;
A recording-medium conveying apparatus, wherein a concave outer suction hole is formed at least between the concaves in the main scanning direction on the recording-medium conveying surface.   3. The recording medium transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recess has an inclined surface that descends from the recording medium transport surface toward the bottom of the recess.   The recording apparatus conveyance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recess of the recording medium conveyance surface is formed by a concave curved surface. A recording medium comprising: a suction unit that sucks and holds a recording medium on a recording medium transport surface; and a recording medium transport unit that transports the recording medium from the upstream side to the downstream side of the suction unit on the recording medium transport surface. A conveying device,
Forming a plurality of dents recessed from the periphery on the recording medium conveying surface in the main scanning direction, and forming a dent suction hole in the dent,
The recess of the recording medium conveyance surface is formed by a concave curved surface having a shape substantially similar to the shape of a cock ring generated in the recording medium,
The recess has at least one raised portion lower than the recording medium conveyance surface in the sub-scanning direction;
A recording-medium conveying apparatus, wherein a concave outer suction hole is formed at least between the concaves in the main scanning direction on the recording-medium conveying surface. The recording apparatus transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface has a suction hole. The recording medium conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the suction hole on the recording medium conveyance surface is chamfered at least on the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the edge of the hole. A recording medium conveying apparatus. A recording apparatus comprising the recording medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1.

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